Each year, more than a quarter of the exhibition space at Natexpo is occupied by regional pavilions. In 2021, their presence will be at an all-time high, with the first participation of Île-de-France and bigger stands for other regions such as Pays de la Loire, with a 30%-larger pavilion, Burgundy-Franche Comté (+64%) and Hauts de France (+39%). Overall, 11 regions will present their historical know-how and multiple skills, along with their commitments to the environment.
Under each banner, the numerous exhibitors benefit from collective communication in their region’s colours, along with a prime stand location. A shared space for discussions and networking can also be offered in these pavilions, helping to generate a healthy group dynamic. To complete this synergy, regional events and features can be organised to showcase the assets of the regions in question.
The appeal of local products
Consistent with the trend in local purchasing and short supply channels, these collective pavilions can host up to 60 regional companies each, ranging from food to cosmetics. Both start-ups and organic product pioneers have their place in these gatherings. Thanks to the structural cohesion of the pavilions, distributors have the resources to highlight the expertise present in their region, thereby fulfilling the high demand from customers wishing to consume locally-made products. Indeed, 64% of French people say they prefer to buy local products when they shop – a trend that has become even more prevalent during the successive periods of lockdown.
Regions out in force at Natexpo
Once again this year, Natexpo is shining a light on the participation of many regions whose companies working on the organic market have come together under the auspices of a range of local bodies such as chambers of commerce and industry (CCI). This is the format chosen by the regions Burgundy Franche-Comté and Grand Est.
Brittany will also be exhibiting through two public agencies: Bretagne Commerce International (BCI), resulting from the merger of Bretagne International and CCI International Bretagne, and Initiative Bio Bretagne. BCI helps companies develop abroad, while Initiative Bio Bretagne supports the development and promotion of the organic sector.
Dev’Up – Centre-Val de Loire has launched a new brand identity for its food brand “Produit en region” (Produced in the region). This region also develops multiple hubs of expertise, including Cosmetic Valley, a centre of excellence in France for fragrances and cosmetics.
The Hauts-de-France region, through its Comité de Promotion, showcases the know-how of its firms and offers them visibility nationwide and abroad. Aprobio aims to structure and develop the organic sector throughout the region.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, through Interbio, benefits from the brand Bio Sud Ouest, as well as Val Bio Ouest, a business hub in the Charente-Maritime department dedicated to primary and secondary processing firms and production services in connection with organic agriculture.
L’Agence Ad’Occ supports companies wishing to set up in Occitania and those looking to increase their business abroad. The flavours to be found in Occitania are recognised in the Sud de France label which boasts 10,000 products including 6,300 wines. The Occitania is moreover the most-represented region at Natexpo among the regional pavilions.
The PACA region has its food industry fabric supported by Aria Sud, which is a true driving force in this region.
The companies from the Pays de la Loire region, exhibiting in their pavilion at Natexpo, can receive assistance from Food Loire to export their products more easily. For organic farming conversion or support, the Chambers of Agriculture assist the various players.
To get started in organic, innovate or give a boost to a brand, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region’s Cluster Bio supports companies dealing in food, textiles, cosmetics and dietary supplements.
It is also worth noting that companies from Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle-Aquitaine will also be in attendance in the Incubator. Other food firms from Nouvelle-Aquitaine will be showing in The Big Splash, together with companies from Rhône-Alpes and Brittany working in the cosmetics sector.
Île de France, a land of flavour
For the first time at Natexpo, the body Île-de-France Terre de saveurs, in collaboration with the Île-de-France Regional Council, will present its food supply chain, the trademark “Produit-en-Île de France” (Produced in Île-de-France) bringing together the products of producers and farming and food processing companies from the entire Paris region. Today, more than 2,700 products bear this signature.
Among the most iconic products in Île-de-France, one can single out brioches and pastries, livestock farming (lamb, beef, poultry), beverages (Brie cider, Noyau de Poissy, locally-brewed beers), fruit and vegetables, and naturally the famous Jambon de Paris.
Regions in the spotlight
On Natexpo’s Agora, several talks and lectures will be given explaining the approaches and initiatives of regions. The schedule to date:
Sunday 24 October 2021
11:00: Bio Sud Ouest France, a tool for the structuring of fair trade organic markets for operators in the South-West.
With Flavie Tiret, Interbio Nouvelle Aquitaine
13:00: Organic brewing sector in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: structural organisation and market
With Bastien Boissonnier, Organic supply chain project manager, Cluster Bio
14:00: The Territoire Bio Engagé label, a tool for your regions!
With Stéphanie Thebault, Director of Initiative Bio Bretagne
Monday 25 October 2021
14:00: Brittany milling vertical: from research to the end product
With Stéphanie Thebault, Director of Initiative Bio Bretagne
16:00: Round table – focus on organic processing in Région Sud
With Fleur Masson, Director of Business department, Aria Sud – Cyril Bertrand, coordinator of RMT Actia TransfoBio – regional businesses
Tuesday 26 October 2021
11:00: 2021 survey: wording that increases purchasing intentions on organic products
With Marithé Castaing, Business development officer and Adrien Petit, Director, Cluster Bio
12:00: Round table – Territorial diversity and complementarity, a lever for export in Grand Est !
With Isabelle Heumann, CEO, Heumann – other firms from Grand Est
